Tube Management Assembly

ABSTRACT

The tube management assembly employs a track, one or more mounting clips that are slidably mounted in the track and clamps that are snap-fitted into the mounting clips. In one embodiment, the mounting clip has a pair of resilient walls with inwardly directed lips for engaging in arcuate grooves in the sides of the clamp. In another embodiment, the mounting clip has a base slidably mounted in the track and a mounting block extending from the base and including a recess for receiving a tube transversely of the track.

This is a Non-Provisional patent application and claims the benefit ofProvisional Patent Application 62/461,475, filed Feb. 21, 2017.

This invention relates to a tube management assembly. More particularly,this invention relates to a tube management assembly Including at leastone tube management clamp and a mounting clip for the clamp. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a tube management assembly foruse in the high purity drug and pharmaceutical and related industries.

BACKGROUND

Drug manufacturers are utilizing single use systems to manufactureliquid drug products. These systems are typically constructed oftemporary tubing flow paths and plastic components. They are installedprior to processing and then disposed of after a process is complete.These temporary systems create a challenge of organizing and effectivelymanaging the tubing and fluid paths that are created in a drugproduction work area.

It is an object of the present invention to mechanically secure singleuse fittings and tubing in place for single use systems to manufactureliquid drug products.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mounting clip for aclamp that provides a secure locking arrangement for the clamp.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tube managementassembly that can be easily assembled to control a fluid path in a drugproduction area and dis-assembled after use.

Briefly, the invention provides a tube management assembly that employsa track that can be mounted on a horizontal surface or vertical surface,at least one mounting clip that is slidably mounted in the track and aclamp releasably mounted in the clip for holding the components of atubing flow path assembly in place.

The tube management assembly may also employ at least one mounting blockthat is slidably mounted in the track and that includes a recess forreceiving a tube of a tubing flow path assembly transversely of thetrack.

The track is constructed with a flat base, a pair of parallel wallsextending from the base and a pair of flanges extending from the wallstowards each other to define a trackway. The track may be of anydeterminative length to accommodate several mounting blocks forestablishing a tubing flow path assembly and may be provided withpre-formed holes for passage of screws or the like into a supportsurface.

The mounting clip is made of plastic and is constructed to hold asecondary plastic or elastomer device, such as the clamp, which is usedfor fluid transfer, by means of a mating geometry and mechanical forces.

In one embodiment, the mounting clip has a flat base that is slidablymounted in the trackway of the track, a mounting block on the base, apair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on oppositesides of the mounting block from the base and a pair of lips, each ofwhich extends from a respective wall towards the other wall for engagingand securing the clamp in the clip.

The clamp is made of plastic and has a pair of arcuate jaws forreceiving a tube in clamped relation. In addition, at least one of thejaws is seated on the mounting block and has an arcuate groove on eachside receiving a respective lip of the mounting clip.

The clamp may be formed of a pair of jaws that are disposed in hingedrelation to each other for opening and closing relative to each other ormay be formed of a pair of semi-circular jaws that can be snap-fittedtogether to receive a tube.

In accordance with the invention, the mounting clip is constructed toallow a user to easily secure the clamp with complementary geometry intoplace by means of pressing the two parts together. A gradual geometry onthe clip will guide the clamp onto a receiving portion area on the clip,and then secure the two parts together for the purpose of keeping theassembly in a designated location.

Mounting of the mounting clip in a slidable manner in the track allowsseveral mounting clips to be employed at variable locations in the trackto accommodate different lengths of tubular modular elements of a tubingflow path assembly.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting clip in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip of FIG. 1 taken online 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip of FIG. 1 taken online 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the clip of FIG. 1 with a clampmounted in place thereon;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a tubing flow path assembly employingthe clips and clamps of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the tubing flow path assemblyof FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 1, the mounting clip 10 is of one piececonstruction and is made of a suitable plastic;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting clip and clamp in atrack in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clipfor receiving a clamp and a mounting clip for receiving a tube inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clipand a modified clamp in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clipreceiving a tube in accordance with the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mounting clip 10 of the tube managementassembly has a flat base 11 of rectangular shape with an aperture 12 ateach of two ends for receiving a mounting element, for example, a screw(not shown) to secure the clip 10 to a mounting surface.

In addition, the mounting clip 10 has a mounting block 13 centrallylocated on a longitudinal axis 14 of the clip 10 and between the twoends of the base 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the mounting block 13 is of hollowconstruction and is raised from the base 11 with an arcuate upperseating surface 15 extending longitudinally of the block 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the mounting clip 10 has a pair ofupstanding walls 16 disposed in parallel to the mounting block 13 andextending upwardly, as viewed, from the base 11. Each wall 16 has anoutwardly extending tab 17 at an upper end which provides a surface forengagement, for example, by a thumb (not shown) of a person in order toapply a force on the wall 16 for flexing of the walls 16 away from eachother. In this regard, the walls 16 are connected integrally with thebase 11 in a skeletal manner as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Each wall 16 also has an inwardly extending lip 18 opposite the tab 17for purposes as described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each wall 16 has a curvilinear top surface 19for purposes as described below and each lip 18 is of a correspondingcurvilinear shape for purposes as described below. Each lip 18 is alsoprovided with a gap 20 at an intermediate central point for purposes asdescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 8 wherein like reference characters indicate likeparts as above, the mounting clip 10 is sized and shaped to seat a clamp21 in place thereon.

As illustrated, the clamp 21 is made of plastic and includes a pair ofarcuate jaws 22, 23 that are hinged together via a pivot pin 24 at oneend in order to open and close relative to each other. Each jaw 22, 23includes an arcuate groove 25 (see FIG. 7) on an inner periphery forpurposes as described below.

A locking nut assembly 26 is provided to secure the jaws 22, 23 togetherwhen closed on each other. This locking nut assembly 26 is similar tothe locking nut assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/155,306, filed Jan. 14, 2014 and has a threaded pin 27 (see FIG. 8)pivotally mounted on an end of the lower jaw 22 opposite the end withthe pivot pin 24 and is releasably disposed in a bifurcation (not shown)of the upper jaw 23 when the jaws 22, 23 are closed on each other. Thelocking nut assembly 26 also has a nut 28 threaded on the threaded pin27 that is to be seated within a recessed seat in the upper jaw 23

Each jaw 22, 23 has a circular outer periphery flanked by a pair ofupstanding flanges 29 as indicated in FIG. 7. In addition, each side ofeach jaw 22, 23 has an arcuate groove 30 interrupted by a wall 31located at an intermediate central point of the respective groove 30.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts as above, a plurality of clamps 21 and mounting clips 10 areemployed to mount a tubing flow path assembly 32 on a suitable flatsupport surface (not shown).

As indicated, the tubing flow path assembly 32 includes a plurality oftubular modular elements 33 that are connected via the clamps 21 andsupported on the clips 10. These modular elements 33 may be of identicalconstruction or of distinct construction. In either case, each modularelement 33 includes an upstanding circular collar 34 (see FIG. 7) at oneor both ends with a tubular central section, for example, for conveyinga liquid for the preparation of a pharmaceutical.

In order to assemble the tubing flow path assembly 32, a pair of modularelements 33 are butted together and an opened clamp 21 is fitted aboutthe butted collars 34 such that the collars 34 fit into the arcuategrooves 25 on the inner periphery of the jaws 22, 23 (see FIG. 7).

The jaws 22, 23 of the clamp 21 are then closed on each other and thelocking nut assembly 26 is moved into a locking position.

In order to mount a clamp 21 on a mounting clip 10, the clip 10 issecured in place on the flat support surface. Next, a clamp 21 issnap-fitted into the clip 10, In this regard, the walls 31 of the clamp21 are aligned with the gaps 20 in the lips 18 of the clip 10 and theclamp 21 is pressed against the lips 18 and into the clip 10.

During this time, the lips 18 of the clip 10 spread apart and the walls16 on which the lips 18 are disposed flex outwardly of each otherallowing the lips 18 to snap into the arcuate grooves 30 on the sides ofthe clamp 21. At the same time, the circular outer periphery of thelower jaw 22 of the clamp 21 seats on the an arcuate seating surface 16of the mounting block 14 of the clip 11 with each upstanding flange 29of the lower jaw 22 disposed between the mounting block 14 and a wall16. (See FIG. 7)

The sequence of assembling the tubing flow path assembly 32 may vary.For example, the clamps 21 may be fitted into a plurality of mountingclips 10 that are located at fixed points before the modular elements 33are mounted in the clamps 21. In order to dis-assemble a clamp 21 from amounting clip 10, the tabs 17 of the clip 1 are pressed downwardly, forexample, by a thumb (not shown) of a person in order to apply a force onthe walls 16 for flexing of the walls 16 away from each other therebyreleasing the clamp 21 from engagement in the clip 10. The clamp 21 maythen be removed from the clip 10 manually.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mounting block 14 extends longitudinallyoutwardly of the walls 16 and may be sized to be of greater or lessheight relative to the base 11 in dependence on the size of the clamp 21that is to be mounted thereon.

Of note, the walls 31 of the clamp 21 that are aligned with the gaps 20in the lips 18 of the clip 10 facilitate orientation of the clamp 21such that the locking nut assembly 26 is disposed with the threaded pin27 in a vertical plane when in the locking position (as indicated inFIGS. 8 and 9) and, thus, for ease of access to a user.

Referring to FIG. 10, wherein like references indicate like parts asabove, the tube management assembly may employ a track 35 that can bemounted on a vertical surface, a horizontal surface or an inclinedsurface. To this end, his track 35 has one or more apertures 36 forreceiving screws or other securing elements (not shown).

The track 35 also has a flat base 37, a pair of parallel walls 38 thatextend from the base 37 and a pair of flanges 39, each of which extendsfrom one wall 38 toward the other wall to define a trackway in order toslidably receive the mounting clip 10. As illustrated, the trackway isin the form of an inverted T-shaped slotted trackway in order to retainthe mounting clip 10 therein. In this case, the base 11 of the mountingclip 10 is free of the apertures 12 of FIG. 1.

The base 11 of the mounting clip 10 is also provided with projections(not shown) on the bottom for fitting into positioning holes 40 disposedin alignment longitudinally of the base 37 of the track 35. Preferably,the track 35 and mounting clip 10 are made of plastic so that the clip10 can be readily moved manually along the length of the track 35 to aproper position (and held by the mating of the projections andpositioning holes 40) for positioning the clamp 21 holding the tubularmodular elements 33 (see FIG. 8).

The track 35 may also have a stop 41 at one end of the base 37 toprevent the clip 10 from sliding out of the track 35 at that end.

Referring to FIG. 11, wherein like references indicate like parts asabove, the track 35 may be used to mount different mounting clips 10,42.

In one case, the mounting clip 10 is constructed as above described.

In the other case, the mounting clip 42 has a flat base 43 slidablymounted in the trackway of the track 35 and a mounting block 44extending from the base 43 and including a recess 45 for receiving atube 46 (see FIG. 13) transversely of the track 35, As indicated, therecess 45 is U-shaped to receive a tube and may have small inwardlydirected projections (not shown) on opposite sides to retain the tube inplace.

In each case, the mounting clip 10, 42 is provided with projections (notshown) on the bottom for fitting into the positioning holes 40 disposedin the track 35.

Referring to FIG. 12, wherein like references indicate like parts asabove, the tube management assembly may employ a clamp 47 formed of apair of semi-circular jaws 48 that can be snap-fitted together toreceive a tube.

As illustrated, the jaws 48 are of similar construction. Each jaw 48includes a semi-circular base 49 and a pair of parallel walls 50 thatextend internally from the base 49 and inside of the edges of the base49 to form a recess to receive the lip 18 of the mounting clip 10.

The base 49 of the lower jaw 48, as viewed, is sized to seat on theseating surface 15 (not shown) of the mounting clip 10

Each jaw 48 has a rectangular shaped tab 51 projecting from one end anda sleeve-like member 52 sized to receive the tab 51 of the other jaw 48.

When fitted together, the jaws 48 firmly secure a tube (not shown) inplace.

The invention thus provides a temporary tube management assembly fororganizing and effectively managing the tubing and fluid paths that arecreated in a drug production work area.

The invention mechanically secures single use fittings and tubing inplace for single use systems to manufacture liquid drug products. Inparticular, the invention provides a mounting clip that provides asecure locking arrangement for a clamp as well as a tube managementassembly that can be easily assembled to control a fluid path in a drugproduction area and dis-assembled after use.

What is claimed is:
 1. The combination of a mounting clip having amounting block thereon, a pair of walls extending in parallel onopposite sides of said mounting block and pair of lips, each said lipextending from a respective wall of said pair of walls towards the otherof said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mountingclip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of saidjaws being seated on said mounting block and having an arcuate groove oneach side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 2.The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting block hasan arcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon.
 3. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said jawshas a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving said mountingblock therebetween.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tab extending outwardlyof a respective wall of said pair of walls for manual engagement thereofto resiliently flex said respective wall away from the other of saidpair of walls.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidmounting clip is made of plastic and said clamp is made of plastic. 6.The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said lip of saidmounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least onejaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed insaid gap of each said lip.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1wherein said jaws are disposed in hinged relation to each other foropening and closing relative to each other.
 8. The combination as setforth in claim 1 wherein each of said jaws has a semi-circular base, apair of parallel walls extending internally from said base and inside ofedges of said base to form a recess to receive said lip of said mountingclip, a tab projecting from one end of said base and a sleeve-likemember at an opposite end of said base to receive said tab of the otherjaw.
 9. The combination of a plastic mounting clip having a mountingblock thereon, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending inparallel on opposite sides of said mounting block, each said wall havinga lip extending inwardly towards the other of said pair of walls and atab extending outwardly away from said lip for manual engagement thereofto resiliently flex said respective wall away from the ether of saidpair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip,said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jawsbeing seated on said mounting block between said walls and having anarcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of saidmounting clip.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein eachsaid lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof andsaid at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groovethereof disposed in said gap of each said lip.
 11. The combination asset forth in claim 10 wherein said clamp has a locking nut assemblysecuring said jaws together and disposed in a vertical plane with saidclamp in said mounting clip.
 12. A tube management assembly comprising atrack having a flat base, a pair of parallel walls extending from saidbase and a pair of flanges, each said flange extending from one of saidwalls toward the other of said walls to define a trackway; at least onemounting clip having a flat base slidably mounted in said trackway ofsaid track, a mounting block on said base, a pair of resilientlyflexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mountingblock from said base and pair of lips, each said lip extending from arespective wall of said pair of walls towards the other of said pair ofwalls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamphaving a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated onsaid mounting block and having an arcuate groove on each side thereofreceiving a respective lip of said mounting clip.
 13. A tube managementassembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting block has anarcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon and at least one ofsaid jaws has a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving saidmounting block therebetween.
 14. A tube management assembly as set forthin claim 12 wherein said mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tabextending outwardly of a respective wall of said pair of walls formanual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall awayfrom the other of said pair of walls.
 15. A tube management assembly asset forth in claim 14 wherein said mounting clip is made of plastic andsaid clamp is made of plastic.
 16. A tube management assembly as setforth in claim 12 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gapat a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has awall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip.17. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 furthercomprising at least one mounting clip having a flat base slidablymounted in said trackway of said track and a mounting block extendingfrom said base and including a recess for receiving a tube thereintransversely of said track.